As the weather warms up, it's time to start thinking about what you need to do to prepare your skin for summer. Though many of us think of our skin as a whole, different parts require different kinds of care: lips, hands, feet, and face all have unique needs. In this post, I'll focus on tips for the face.

Exfoliate

Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells. It's one of the best ways to reveal a fresh, smooth surface that can help your skincare products absorb better. Exfoliating is important for all skin types--even oily ones! Oily skin can tend to have more build-up than dry or normal because it produces more sebum (the natural oil produced by our bodies).

Exfoliating too much can cause irritation, so make sure you use gentle products when you exfoliate.

Also, avoid chemical peels.

Chemical exfoliants can be harsh on the skin, causing irritation and redness. Instead, opt for a gentle physical exfoliant that you can use once or twice a week (or even less often). Physical exfoliants include products like clay masks, which pull impurities out of pores; scrubs, which physically remove dead skin cells; and enzymes like papaya or pineapple extract--the latter two are natural fruit acids that help dissolve sebum build-up in pores.

Moisturize - but not too much

Moisturizing is the most important step in your skincare routine, but you don't want to overdo it. You should be using a moisturizer daily- that's the best way to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. But there are some things you should keep in mind:

Don't use too many products at once. If you apply an eye cream, facial cleanser, toner, and moisturizer all at once (and then follow up with sunscreen), it can feel too much for your face. Try using one product at a time so that each one has time to sink into the skin before adding another layer of product.

Don't forget about your neck and chest! Most people think of their faces when they think about their skincare routine but don't think about their necks or chests as often -- which means those areas aren't getting the same boost from all those wonderful ingredients found in face creams and serums! Make sure these areas also get attention by choosing products specifically designed for them (such as neck creams).

Use sunscreen

If you're spending a lot of time outside this spring, it's important to use sunscreen.

  • Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. This will help protect against sun damage and signs of aging.
  • Apply the sunscreen 15 minutes before going out in the sun--this gives it enough time to soak into your skin before exposure begins.
  • Apply all over your body, including your face and neck (even if you wear long sleeves or pants).

Treat your lips to the best of care

Use a lip balm with SPF. This is an essential step in your skincare routine if you have dry lips. It's important to use a lip balm containing SPF because it protects against sun damage and will help keep your lips moisturized.

Scrub away dead skin at least twice per week. If you're like me, you probably forget to scrub your face until there are visible dry skin flakes around your nose or mouth (gross). But there's no reason why this should happen--allowing dead cells build up on the surface of our bodies can cause breakouts and make us feel uncomfortable when we kiss someone!

Get a facial treatment

A facial is a great way to get your skin ready for the spring. Even if you're not dealing with any particular skin issues, professional facial treatment can help keep your complexion looking its best.

A professional facial treatment will cleanse, tone, and moisturize your face in ways that you might not be able to do yourself at home--and it will also provide advice on how best to maintain healthy skin at home between appointments. A reliable dermatologist should be able to identify any problem areas (such as acne) so that they can be addressed directly during the course of treatment or afterward at home by following their recommendations about products and/or lifestyle changes (like cutting out sugar).

Get rid of any old products that might be clogging your pores

Start by cleaning out your medicine cabinet and removing any old products that might be clogging pores or causing irritation (especially if they contain parabens or other toxins). You don't need to replace everything at once; just choose one or two products first and see how they work with your skin and body chemistry before adding anything else back into rotation.

Drink plenty of water

Drinking lots of water is the number one way to boost your skin. This will help flush out toxins from your body, giving your skin a healthy glow. It also helps keep wrinkles at bay by hydrating the skin from the inside out!

Also, our diet plays a major role in how our skin looks and feels, so ensure you're eating well this season! A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help keep our bodies healthy and happy — including our complexions!

With these tips and a little care, you'll be well on your way to having a beautiful springtime complexion.